Madelyn Plummer, 7, of Alton, tries using a potter’s wheel with some help from Susan Elmendorf of the Jacoby Arts Center during a demonstration at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove Memorial Park in Grafton Sunday afternoon. More than three dozen artists had works on display at the fair, now in its ninth year. less

Madelyn Plummer, 7, of Alton, tries using a potter’s wheel with some help from Susan Elmendorf of the Jacoby Arts Center during a demonstration at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | For The Telegraph

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Madelyn Plummer, 7, of Alton, tries using a potter’s wheel with some help from Susan Elmendorf of the Jacoby Arts Center during a demonstration at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove Memorial Park in Grafton Sunday afternoon. More than three dozen artists had works on display at the fair, now in its ninth year. less

Madelyn Plummer, 7, of Alton, tries using a potter’s wheel with some help from Susan Elmendorf of the Jacoby Arts Center during a demonstration at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | For The Telegraph

Image 3 of 4

David Oberlink, of Godfrey, looks over a watercolor by local artist Gene Ursprung at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove Memorial Park in Grafton Sunday afternoon. More than three dozen artists had works on display at the fair, now in its ninth year. less

David Oberlink, of Godfrey, looks over a watercolor by local artist Gene Ursprung at “Art in the Park,” a two-day art fair in The Grove Memorial Park in Grafton Sunday afternoon. More than three dozen ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | For The Telegraph

Image 4 of 4

A good day for ‘Art in the Park’

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GRAFTON — A steady stream of cars, trucks and motorcycles moved through town Sunday afternoon, while another steady stream — this one made of people — went through The Grove Memorial Park as part of the annual Art in the Park art show Saturday and Sunday.

A mixture of locals and visitors came out to look at the offerings of 37 artists in a variety of mediums.

The show, now in its ninth year, is sponsored by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, said Mary Lillesve, the fair’s coordinator.

“I’m not an artist, but I’m a real supporter and I’ve always loved going to art shows,” she said. “When I moved to Grafton eight years ago and found out they had an art show I said, ‘What can I do to help?,’ and this is what happens when you say that.”

She said art is very important.

“It enriches your life,” she said. “People forget how much any kind of art is closely related to how your brain functions. One thing that disappoints me so is that schools are offering less and less art. There is loads of research that supports the role of artful thinking to academics. To me it isn’t an extra.”

New this year was a juried art contest among students at Grafton Elementary School.

Students in each class made paintings with a river and wildlife theme, and a panel of art teachers picked the best of each class. Those winning pictures were on display at the entrance to the art fair, and a “People’s Choice” winner was to be determined by donations.

Lillesve said the People’s Choice winner would receive additional prizes, and money collected would be put back into the art fair.

Children also got a chance Sunday to learn to make pottery.

Susan Elmendorf of the Jacoby Arts Center, in Alton, did pottery demonstrations.

“I’m letting the children try the potters’ wheel on their own,” she said. “It’s been super busy, steady since I got here. It gives kids a chance to try something they may not ever have tried before, and to discover something new. They love it.”

She helped Madelyn Plummer, 7, of Alton, shape some clay.

“It’s fun,” Madelyn said. “I’ve never done it before.”

Madelyn noted that she was getting good at it.

“I get to mold it,” she said.

Angelina Bailey, of Bethalto, watched some of the children work with the clay.

“I just wanted to look at all the art and see all the talent,” she said. “I’ve been watching all the kids do it. It says a lot about people and their culture.”

She noted she might buy some art later, but as she talked, her father, who was standing nearby, informed her that they had already bought some art.

“I love all the art,” she said.

A common theme among participants was supporting local artists.

David Oberlink, of Godfrey, looked at art by long-time friend Gene Ursprung, a former Alton School District art teacher.

“I’ve known this artist here for many years. I wanted to see what he had new,” Oberlink said.

However, he admitted his wife, Vickie Oberling, was the bigger art fan.

“I made him come,” she said.

“It’s better than staying home and watching the Rams play,” he replied before the St. Louis football team’s big win in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL season’s opening day Sunday.

When looking at art from Ursprung, who emphasizes local buildings and scenes, Ursprung likely will tell the story behind the images. He said art fairs are important.

“I get to show my work, make a few bucks from time to time,” he said. “It’s a good experience and an opportunity to get some original artwork.”

At another booth, Grafton resident Amber Fleming and her daughter, Genna Fleming, 9, looked at items made from duct tape.

“I like supporting the local artists, and it’s nice just to get out and be in the town,” she said, as she held a duct tape rose petal, while her daughter looked at duct tape wallets.

She’s a fan of duct tape.

“You can make tons of stuff out of it,” she said. “There are duct tape purses I didn’t even know you could make.”

Others walked around, looking at crafts and chatting with artists.

“What’s exciting is this brings people to Grafton,” Lillesve said. “In Grafton we depend on visitors, and we’re so happy if the art fair contributes to that. It lets us celebrate a different part of the community.”

Scott Cousins is a freelance writer and photographer for the Telegraph.